Thirumoozhikkulam Sri Lakshmana Perumal Temple/ തിരുമൂഴിക്കുളം ശ്രീ ലക്ഷ്മണ പെരുമാള്‍ / திருமூழிக்குளம் லட்சுமணப் பெருமாள் கோவில், Moozhikulam, Ernakulam District, Kerala.

The visit to this Sree Thirumoozhikalathan Temple at Moozhukulam was a part of the Malai Nadu Divya Desams visit from 10^th to 14^th June 2025, organized by Mantra Yatra (website). Thanks to Mr. Balaji Davey and his team of Mantra Yatra for the excellent arrangement and personal care.

This place is on the banks of the Chalakudy River and was called Thirumozhikalam during the Alwars period. It is believed that this place was called Thirumozhikalam (Thirumozhi- sacred words), which has been corrupted to the present name of Thirumoozhikulam. The temple is also called the Lakshmana Perumal Temple. This place, Thirumoozhikulam, is one of the 108 Divya Desam of Maha Vishnu, and Mangalasasanam was done by Nammalwar (3623 - 3633) and Thirumangai Alwar (1553, 2061, and 2674(129)).

பனி ஏய் பரங் குன்றின் பவளத் திரளே

முனியே திருமூழிக்களத்து விளக்கே

இனியாய் தொண்டரோம் பருகும் இன் அமுது ஆய

கனியே உன்னைக் கண்டுகொண்டு உய்ந்தொழிந்தேனே 1553).

பொன்ஆனாய்! பொழில்ஏழும் காவல் பூண்ட-  புகழ்ஆனாய்! இகழ்வாய தொண்டனேன் நான், 

என்ஆனாய்? என்ஆனாய்? என்னல் அல்லால்  என்அறிவன் ஏழையேன்,  உலகம் ஏத்தும்- 

தென்ஆனாய் வடஆனாய் குடபால் ஆனாய் குணபாலமதயானாய் இமையோர்க்கு என்றும்- 

முன்ஆனாய் பின்ஆனார் வணங்கும் சோதி!  திருமூழிக் களத்துஆனாய் முதல்ஆனாயே! (2061)

உன்னிய யோகத் துறக்கத்தை, ஊரகத்துள்

அன்னவனை அட்ட புயகரத்தெம் ஆனேற்றை,

என்னை மனங்கவர்ந்த ஈசனை, - வானவர்த்தம் 

முன்னவனை மூழிக் களத்து விளக்கினை (2776)

… திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார்

எம்கானல் அகம்கழிவாய் இரை தேர்ந்துஇங்கு இனிதுஅமரும்

செங்கால மடநாராய்! திருமூழிக்களத்து உறையும்

கொங்குஆர் பூந்துழாய்முடி எம்குடக்கூத்தர்க்கு என்தூதாய்

நும்கால்கள் என்தலைமேல் கெழுமீரோ நுமரோடே. (3739).

…. நம்மாழ்வார்

Moolavar  : Sree Thirumoozhikalathan, Thirumoozhikalathappan,

                  Sree Sookthinathar

Thayar     : Sree Madhuraveni Thayar

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with an entrance arch on the roadside. A Stone lamp is before the entrance gopuram. Garudasthambam and balipeedam are in front of the Nalammbalam entrance. The balipeedam is about 7 feet tall and open to the sky.

In the sanctum sanctorum, Moola Murti is made of stone with shankha, chakra, and Adishesan. A bas-relief of Moolavar is in front of the Moola murti, which can be slid to the side, and poojas are done to this bas-relief Murti.

In Sree Kovil Ganapati, Dakshinamurthy, Sri Rama, Sita, and Hanuman (in the form of balipeedas), darshan can be done through the south side window of Sree Kovil.

In pradkashinapatha Saptamatrikas, Ashtadikpalakas, a Shiva Lingam, etc. Gosala Krishna is in the outer praharam/ Thiruchuttambalam.

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ARCHITECTURE

The temple complex consists of Thiruchuttambalam, nalambalam, pradakshinapatha, Sree Kovil, Namaskara mandapam, dwajasthambam, and balipeedam. The Sree Kovil is circular in plan. The adhistanam and bhitti are built with stone. The adhistanam consists of jagathy, threepatta, kumuda, and a band with madalas (protruding small wooden beams). The bhitti is with windows on three sides. The bhitti is plain and was built with laterite stones and plastered. The pranala is like a canon, emerges through the Yazhi’s mouth, supported by a bhuta gana. A conical, dwi/ two tala vimanam is on the Sree Kovil. The vimanam is called Soundariya Vimanam.

The namaskara mandapam is with a pyramidal roof in front of Sree Kovil, which is open on four sides and supported by pillars. The nalambalam has entrances on all four sides, forming an enclosure to Sree Kovil.   

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since Nammalwar and Thirumangai Alwar have sung Pasuram on Sree Thirumoozhikalathan of this temple, the temple might have existed before the 8^th Century CE, built by the Cheras. Later, the temple received contributions from Cheras, Chozha, Pandyas, Venadu, Travancore Kings, etc., in the 11th century CE, and Bhaskara Ravivarman’s reign inscriptions are recorded from this temple.

The temple was damaged to the maximum extent during Tippu’s invasion, like the temple at Thiruvanjikkulam. The image of the presiding deity was also damaged. A silver kavasa was made to cover the image. After that, an attempt was made to smuggle the idol. After the devaprasnam, the presiding deity's image was kept in damaged condition without covering.

LEGENDS

There are approximately five sets of four temples, also known as “Nalambalams,” in Kerala, the most famous of which are the four temples located in and around Thrissur and Ernakulam. These four temples are connected with the Epic Ramayan, where Rama and his brothers are believed to have built one temple each, and the Presiding Deities are also named after them. It is customary to visit the four temples in the order of Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana, and Shatrughna, respectively. A pilgrimage to these temples on a single day during the holy month of Karkkidakam is believed to shower blessings and ensure prosperity.

1. Sree Rama Temple at Thriprayar by Sree Rama,

2. Sree Lakshmana Perumal Temple at Thirumoozhikkulam, by Sree Lakshmana

3. Sree Koodalmanikyam Temple, at Irinjalakuda by Sree Bharata  

4. Sree Shathrugna Swamy Temple at Payammal by Sree Shathrugna

As per the Legends, Hareetha Maharshi did a penance on Maha Vishnu, on the banks of Chalakudy or Poorna River. Pleased by his penance, Maha Vishnu appeared before him at the beginning of the Kali Yuga and advised Hareetha Maharshi how to overcome the hurdles in the Kali Yuga. The advice of spoken sacred words by Maha Vishnu is called “Thirumozhi” (திருமொழி). Hence, this place obtained the name of Thirumozhikalam, and Maha Vishnu was called Sree Sookthinathar, and the same has been corrupted to the present name of Thirumoozhikkulam/ Thirumoozhikkalam.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, the major festivals are Vaikunta Ekadasi and Thiruvonam. The Annual 10-day Aarttu festival will be held in April–May.  

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 05.20 hrs to 11.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The landline numbers +914842470374 and +914842473996 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

This temple is about 9 km from Angamaly (Kalady) Railway Station, 17 km from Kalady, 21 km from Kodungallur Bhagavathy Amman Temple, 23 km from Irinjalakuda, and 25 km from Thrikkakara Maha Vishnu Temple.

The nearest Railway Station is Angamaly (Kalady).

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---